Around 500 orienteers and their families will arrive in Wagga in June for the annual Australian three-day carnival.

Wagga’s central location to NSW, Victoria and ACT made it the ideal choice to host the prestigious carnival, which acts as an Australian selection trial for the junior and senior world championships.

“Orienteering NSW is excited to be hosting this major annual Australian orienteering carnival. Wagga is blessed with great terrain and a location accessible to the main population states,” Orienteering NSW president Greg Barbour said.

“The weekend should be a boost to orienteering in general and the tourism industry on the Riverina. We have a team of experienced local and state orienteers to ensure a smooth carnival.”

The carnival will be held on the June long weekend, a change from it’s traditional home at Easter. It has been moved back due to a clash with the World Masters Games in New Zealand.

Wagga mayor Greg Conkey is happy the city has been able to attract another significant sports event.

“We are very pleased to be able to host this event in 2017, and we look forward to welcoming the athletes to the City of Good Sports,” Conkey said.

The three-day carnival will test participants in a variety of different terrains and over different distances on each day.

The opening event on Saturday is middle distance at Connorton, Sunday will see a long distance event at Burngoogee before finishing with a sprint event at Charles Sturt University on Monday.